Pump



March 17, 1931, J. o. MCMILLAN PUMP Filed Sept. 30, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Rmsvverr COMPRESSOR MOTOR J. O. M MILLAN PUMP Filed Sept. 50. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuwntoz LCM MILLAN Earl v1.51

March 17, 1931. J. o. MGMILLAN PUMP Filed Sept. 30, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwoenloz *IMQ MIL LAN Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES O. MCMILLAN, F E-LDORADO, KANSAS, ASSIG-NOR TO OIL-O-MATIC MANUFAC- TURIN G COMPANY, OF WICHITA, KANSAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS PUMP Application filed September 30, 1927. Serial No. 223,180.

This invention relates to improvements in pumps, and more particularly to a novel well pump of the pneumatic piston type.

This pump is to be employed in a system in which theoperation of the pump is controlled by the opening and closing of a faucet, through which the liquid is discharged from the system.

Systems of this type are especially useful 19 in isolated places such as farmhouses, country residences, school houses, dairies and industrial establishments which have wells of fresh water. Such systems are also used for small towns and irrigation projects.

The pump forming the subjectmatter of this invention is lowered into a well and submerged under a suitable head of water, and this pump has three conduits, one to lead to the water distributing pipe, another to a supply of compressed air, and a third to permit the air used in the pump to discharge to atmosphere. The well is the only storage tank needed in connection with the pump.

Pumps of this character are popular because they pump a steady stream of fresh water direct from the well or source of supply, and when the faucets are closed, a pres-.

sure is maintained ready for instant use, consequently, such a pump 1s espec1ally useful in case of a fire.

. It is an aim of my invention to provide a pump which is rugged, corrosive-proof, simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, easily assembled, leak-proof and practically sand proof.

Another purpose of the invention is to furnish a pump having a control valve'which is positive and instantaneous in action.

A further object is to provide a pneumatic 4o pump having leak proof foot and check valves.

A still further object is to provide a pump with a minimum number of mechanical movements and springs, there being only three 4;; springs in the entire assembly.

I have found in practice, that metal and other floats used in controlling pumps of this character, are not dependable, for high lifts, in that they sometimes collapse or develop are leaks, so I have provided in place of such floats, water weights which are affected neither by pressure nor small leaks.

In experimenting with such pumps, I have discovered that 38 pounds of air is required with this pump to raise water 100 feet. With a pump of my construction, having two cylinders, each holding8 gallons of water, I find that when same is submerged under.5 feet of water, three seconds is required to fill each cylinder, and in a well, 30 feet deep,

10 pounds of air pressure will balance the weight of a column of water 30 feet high, and 11 pounds air pressure will flow the water. Under the same conditions, each cylinder will empty in four seconds at approximately pounds of air pressure.

' The invention will now be described in detail, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section of the pump arranged in a well.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the pump, taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar vertical sectional view taken at to Fig. 2, and showing the major portion of the upper cylinder of the pump.

Fig. 4 is a similarwiew of the intermediate portion of the pump.

5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the lower portion of the pump, taken at 90 relatively to Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating the system in which the pump is employed.

In the drawings, 1 designates the upper cylinder, and 2 the lower cylinder of my improved pump.

The head 3 of the upper cylinder, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is provided with an annular groove 4 to receive packing 5 which bears against the upper end of the cylinc er 1.

The head 3 carries an automatic control valve mechanism 6 which will be described later on. i

A discharge pipe 7 has its upper end screwed into the head, as shown at 8, and the lower end of this pipe is connected by threads 9 (see Fig. 4), to an upper check valve 10. This check valve includes inlet passageways 11 which may be closed by an annular valve 12, guided by the tube 13.

A nipple 14 passes through a combined partition and foot valve 15, and is screwed into the check valve at 16.

The part 15 has a. recess to receive a packing 17, which is secured in place by a gland 18, screwed on the lower end of the nipple 14.

When the gland 18 is tightened, it not alone compresses the packing 17, but it causes the partition 15 to move toward the cylinder 1, and during such operation, a packing 19 in an annular groove 20 of the partition 15, presses against the lower end of the cylinder 1.

It will be obvious that the gland 18 forms the main means for holding the parts of the upper cylinder in assembled relation.

To secure the lower cylinder in place. a pipe 21 is screwed into the gland 18 at 22, and the lower end of this pipe has a threaded connection 23 with a lower checx valve 2 1, which is similar in construction to the check valve 10.

Another nipple 25 is threaded at 26 into the check valve 24, and this nipple passes through a base foot valve 27, which has one surface of a ground joint 28.

Another gland 29 is screwed on the lower end of the nipple. and has the other surface of the ground joint 28, whereby when the gland 29 is tightened, the ground joint will be perfected, and a packing 30 in a groove 31 will be forced against the lower end of the cylinder 2. In this way, the lower cylinder is effectively secured in position.

At this point, it may be noted that in the operation of the pump, water under pneumatic pressure, will be alternately forced from the cylinders through the check valves 10 and 24, and up the pipes 21 and 7, and will finally travel through a passageway 32 (see Fig. 2) and then pass up the discharge pipe 33 to the point of consumption.

Compressed air used for operating the pump, travels downwardly through the pipe 3 1, and passes through suitable ports and passageways in the valve structure 6, to the interior of the cylinders 1 and 2. Furthermore, air is discharged from the cylinders during the filling of the same, and this air is exhausted by way of a pipe 35 which communicates with the atmosphere above the water line. This pipe is preferably provided with an elbow, as shown at 36 in Fig. 2, to prevent dirt from falling into the pipe The pipe for admitting air to, and discharging air from the upper cylinder, is shown at 37 in Fig. 2, and it is preferably associated with a float valve 38, working in a cage 39. This valve prevents water from passing through the pipe 37, when the cylinder 1 is fille The air pipe for the lower cyhnder, is

shown at 4:0 in Figs. 1 and 3. This pipe is threaded at 41, into the head 3, and it passes downwardly (see Fig. 4), through the combined partition and foot valve 15. A packing 42 surrounds this pipe, and is compressed by a coupling gland 13, which seals the opening at this point. A nipple 11 is threaded into the gland and carries a cage i5 for the float valve 16. The latter valve is similar to the valve 38, and it functions to prevent wat-er from travelling up the pipe 40, after the cylinder 2 had been filled.

Water is admitted into the cylinder 1, through radial passageways 4:7 in the par tition 15, and these passageways are protected by a screen 18 which surrounds the partition. The water flows from the passageways through ports 19 controlled by a foot valve of annular formation, which is directed in its movements by a guide 51.

A similar valve structure for the admission of the water is arranged at the lower end of the pump, and is indicated generally by 52.

A suitable standard or support 53 is connected to the gland 29 at the lower end of the pump for supporting the pump cylinders at the proper height in the well.

The admission of air to, and the discharge of air from the cylinders, and the admission and discharge of the water is automatically controlled by means cooperating with the valve structure (5, and I will now describe the operation of the pump, and refer to the structure of these parts as the description proceeds.

As the parts are illustrated, the pump is submerged in water in a perforated well casing 54, and the lower cylinder has just about finished discharging its water, while the up-- per cylinder is just about filled, and ready for discharge. Under such circumstances, air under suitable pressure passes down the pipe 3+1, and into a chamber 55 in the valve structure (3. From this chamber, the air flows through a port 56 in a removable valve seat 57, and from this port, the air passes into a compartment 58 having a removable cover 59. hen the latter is detached, access may be had to the interior of the control valve structure.

The air flows from the compartment 58, through the pipe 410, into the upper portion of the cylinder 2, and it causes water in this cylinder to flow through the check valve 2. into the discharge pipe 7 which leads the same eventually to the final discharge pipe 33.

At the same time, air in the cylinder 1 is discharging by way of pipe 37 aiid'passageay 60, into a chamber 61 of the valve structure 6, and from this chamber, it flows through a port (32, into a compartment (33, that is in constant ccnnmunication with a conduit 6 1 that leads to the air exhaust pipe 35.

Each cylinder has a cup 65, 66 resting on a spring 67, 68, which in turn rests on the upper end of the check valve 10, 2 1.

When either cup is submerged, its supporting spring has only to carry the weight of the cup, but as soon as the water is discharged from a cylinder, the spring will have to bear in addition to the weight of the cup, the weight of the water in the cup, and as the spring has insufiicient strength to do this, the weighted cup will descend for the purpose of controlling the actuation of the valves in the valve structure 6.

To accomplish this, each cup has a link 68a, pivotally connected at 69 to a movable ring 70. The latter carries a valve 71 which may be adjusted by means of a threaded plug 72. The ring is pivotally connected at 73 to a second ring 74 which is clamped on the pipe 7, 21.

Nipples 75 and 7 6 are connected to the clamping ring 74, and the nipple 76 coacts with the valve 71.

For convenience, the valve 71 of the upper cylinder, will hereinafter be referred to as valve 71a, and the similar valve of the lower cylinder, as valve 716.

The nipple 75 of the upper valve is connected to a pipe 77 which leads to a passageway 7 8, opening into a diaphragm casing '7 9 at one side of the diaphragm 80.

The similar pipe 81 of the lower cylinder, passes through the partition 15, and leads to a passageway 82, opening into the diaphragm casing at the opposite side of the diaphragm 80.

.R-everting now to the operation of the pump, it will be observed that the water J weight cup 66 of the lower cylinder has descended sufficiently to open the valve 716. Consequently, air which is being used in the lower cylinder to discharge the water, will immediately rush through the pipe 81 and passageway 82, and into the diaphragm casing where it will cause the diaphragm to move toward the right, and thus shift the valves 83, 84: and of the valve structure 6. The valves 83 and 84 are fast on a rod 83a which has one of its ends fixed to the diaphragm 80, and its other end guided by the cover plate 59. The valve 85 is fast on a sliding rod 85a which actuates an arm 85b projecting upwardly from the rod 83a.

1. Consequently, the water will be forced through the check valve 10, into the pipe 7,

and then by way of conduits 32 and 33, to the top ofv the well.

At the same time, the foot valve 52 opens -to permit water to flow into the lower cylinder, and as it flows in. the air will be discharged from that cylinder by flowing up the,

tirely filled, the float valve 46 will cut off the flow of air through the pipe 40.

When the water has discharged from the upper cylinder to a sufficient extent, the cup 65 will descend and open the valve 71a, so that air will then flow from the upper cylinder, through the pipe 77 and will act to force the diaphragm 80 in the opposite direction.

A spring is associated with the diaphragm for the purpose of preventing the valves from stopping on dead center, and vent ports 91 are provided in the diaphragm casing to permit the diaphragm to function properly. 7

As shown in Fig. 6, my pump is to be used preferably with a system such as illustrated in this figure. In this view, a motor 93 is used to drive an air compressor 94, preferably of the character shown in my application, Serial No. 70,097, filed Nov. 19, 1925. The air from the compressor passes through a pipe line 95 to an air receiver 96, and an automatic unloader valve 97is arranged in the pipe line. This unloader is preferably of the character disclosed by my application Serial No. 222,801, filed Sept. 29, 1927.

The pipe 34 leads from the air receiver to the pump, and this pump is preferably provided with a reducing valve 98.

The discharge pipe 33 leads from the pump to any desired distributing system, having a faucet or faucets 99.

From the foregoing, I believe that the con struction, operation and advantages of my invention may be readily understood, and it is apparent that changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. 7

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pneumatic pump of the character described, cylinders, means for admitting air to, and discharging air from said cylinders. and control means for the last mentioned means including a diaphragm connected to the air admission and discharge means, cons duits to admit air to opposite faces of the diaphragm, valves for opening and closing the conduits, cups operatively connected to the valves and adapted to be submerged in liquid in the cylinders at certain times during the operation of the pump, and means capable of lifting the cups when the latter are submerged, but incapable of supporting the cups when the latter are filled, and positioned above the liquid levels.

2. In a pump of the character described, a control valve casing having a removable cover, parallel rods slidably mounted in the casing, valves arranged on said rods, air admission and discharge ports controlled by said valves, a diaphragm for shifting said rods and valves, and a spring cooperating with the. diaphragm to prevent the valves from halting in any intermediate position.

3. A pneumatic pump, including a plurality of superposed cylinders, a liquid conveying pipe centrally disposed in and extending through the cylinders, radially disposed ports for admitting liquid into said cylinders, annular check valves surroundin g the pipe and controlling said ports, means including annular check valves coaxial with the pipe for discharging liquid from the cylinders by way of said pipe, means for admitting compressed air alternately into the cylinders and for discharging the air therefrom, means for controlling the admission of air to and the discharge of air from said cylinders, and control means for the last mentioned means, responsive to variations of the depth of the liquid in the cylinders, said con trol means being free to function independently of said check valves.

4:. A pneumatic pump, including a plurality of superposed cylinders arranged end to end, the lower cylinder having a foot plate, a liquid conveying pipe centrally disposed in and extending through the cylinders and foot plate, said foot plate having a frusto-conical ground surface surrounding the pipe, a coupling member threaded on the pipe and having a complementary ground surface engaging the ground surface of the foot plate, a head plate on the upper "cylinder, said pipe being threaded into the head plate valve controlled means for admitting liquid to said cylinders, valve controlled means to permit liquid from the cylinders to flow into the pipe, valve controlled means for alternately admitting compressed air to the cylinders, and means for discharging air from the cylinders.

5. A pneumatic pump, including a plurality of superposed cylindersarranged end to end, a liquid conveying pipe centrally disposed in and extending through the cylinders, valve cages forming part of the pipe, means including check valves surrounding the pipe for admitting liquid into the cylinders, means including annular check valves arranged in the *alve cages coaxial with the pipe, for controlling the flow of liquid from the cylinders into the pipe, means for admitting compressed air alternately into the cylinders and for discharging air therefrom, means for controlling the admission of air to, and the discharge of air from said cylin ders. and control means for the last mentioned means, responsive to variations of the depth of the liquid in the cylinders, said control means being free to function independ ently of said valves.

6. A pneumatic pump including tubular members. end members, a partition member between the tubular members, said members formlng a plurality of superposed cylinders, a liquid conveying pipe centrally disposed in and extending through the cylinders, said pipe having its upper end threaded to one of the end members, an annular threaded element on the pipe bearing against the partition member, a threaded member on the pipe bearing against the lower end member, said threaded elements cooperating with the pipe to hold the members in assembled relation, valve controlled means for admitting liquid to the cylinders, valve controlled means for feeding liquid from the cylinders into the pipe, valve controlled means for alternately admitting compressed air to the cylinders, and means for discharging air from the cylinders.

7. In a pneumatic pump, a head member, a foot member, a partition member, tubular members arranged between the partition member and the head and foot members, said members formin superposed cylinders, a sectional pipe centrally disposed in and extending through the cylinders, said pipe having a threaded connection with the head members, certain sections of the pipe forming valve cages, ports placing the interior of the valve cages in communication with the cylinders, annular valves in the cages arranged coaxial with the pipe and controlling said ports. valve controlled means for admitting liquid to the cylinders, valve controlled means for alternately admitting compressed air to the cylinders, and means for discharging air from the cylinders.

8. A pump as claimed in claim 3, in which the means for controlling the admission of air to, and the discharge of air from the cylinders, comprises ports, valves controlling said ports, connected parallel sliding rods carrying said valves, and a diaphragm for actuating one-0f said rods.

9. In a pneumatic pump, a plurality of cylinders arranged end to end, a centrally disposed conduit connecting the cylinders together and having liquid admission check valves arranged in the cylinders, check valve controlled means for admitting liquid into the cylinders, passageways for admitting air to, and discharging air from the cylinders. movable cups arranged in the cylinders and adapted to be submerged in the liquid in the cylinders at certain times, springs supporting the cups, said springs having insutli'cient strength to support the cups when the latter are filled with liquid and above the liquid line, a casing, a diaphragm in the casing, conduits communicating with the casing at opposite sides of the diaphragm, and extending into the cylinders, valves connected to the cups and functioning to control the admission of air through the last mentioned conduits to opposite sides of the diaphragm, and valves actuated by the diaphragm and controlling said passageways.

10. In a pneumatic pump, a plurality of cylinders arranged end to end, a conduit connecting the cylinders together and having liquid admission check valves arranged in the cylinders, check valve controlled means for admitting liquid into the cylinders, passageways for admitting air to and discharging air from the cylinders, means including a diaphragm for controlling the last mentioned means, and means for actuating said control means, said actuating means includ- 1o ing cups slidably mounted on the conduit and adapted to be submerged in the liquid in the cylinders at certain times, springs supporting the cups, said springs having insufiicient strength to support the cups when the latter are filled with liquid and above the liquid line, members fixed on the conduit, a casing, the diaphragm being arranged in the casing, conduits connected to the casing at opposite sides of the diaphragm, and also connected to said members, and valves connected to the cups and functioning to control the admission of air through the last mentioned conduits to opposite sides of the diaphragm.

11. In a pneumatic pump, a liquid containing cylinder, a passageway for introducing compressed air into the cylinder, a valve controlling said passageway, a floating cup in the cylinder adapted to be submerged in the liquid in the cylinder at certain times, a spring supporting the cup but having insuflicient strength to support the latter when the cup is filled with liquid and above the liquid line, a diaphragm for actuating said valve, a chamber arranged at one side of the diaphragm, a conduit extending from the chamber into the cylinder, and another valve controlled by the cup for opening and closing said conduit.

12. A pneumatic pump, including a plu- 4g rality of superposed cylinders, a liquid'conveying pipe centrally disposed in and extending through the cylinders, radially disposed ports for admitting liquid into said cylinders, annular check valves surrounding the pipe and controlling said ports, means including annular check valves coaxial with the pipe for discharging liquid from the cylinders by way of said pipe, means for admitting compressed air alternately into the cylinders, so and for discharging the air therefrom, means for controlling the admission of air to, and the discharge of air from the cylinders, and control means for the last mentioned means, responsive to variations of the depth of the liquid in the cylinders, said control means comprising valves and liquid weights slidably arranged on said pipe and controlling said valves, said weights including open containers to receive liquid from the cylinders.

.60 7 JAMES O. MCMILLAN.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. Patent No. 1,796,298. Granted March 17, 1931, to

JAMES o. MeMILLAN.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in the above numbered patent was erroneously described and specified as "()il-O-Matic Manufacturing Company", whereas said name should have been described and specified as Air- O-Matic Manufacturing Company, as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent 0ffiee.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of Aprii, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

